Effects of electroencephalogram biofeedback with Asperger??s syndrome

Abstract

This article reports the pilot study of electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback to improve focusing and decrease anxiety in 10 adolescent boys diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome attending a therapeutic day school. Five of the boys dropped out of the study before 12 sessions were completed. The analysis of pre- and post-intervention quantitative EEGs for the five students who completed the study showed a trend to "normalization", but did not reach statistical significance. All five boys who completed 24 sessions showed improved behavior as rated by parents and teachers, but other factors, such as maturation could not be ruled out as causes of the improvement. The challenges facing this research and proposals for further exploration are outlined.

Neurofeedback Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders – Scientific Foundations and Clinical Practice

“…Neurofeedback was found to positively affect autistic symptoms, such as social interaction problems and communication deficits (Coben & Padolsky, 2007;Kouijzer et al, 2009b;Kouijzer et al, 2010;Sichel, Fehmi, & Goldstein, 1995). In addition, improvement in selfesteem, empathy, and flexibility were seen, as well as reductions of anxiety, temper tantrums, and mood changes (Scolnick, 2005). These positive effects of neurofeedback were all reported by parents who filled out questionnaires inquiring about their children's behavior (Coben & Padolsky, 2007;Jarusiewicz, 2002;Kouijzer et al, 2009b;Kouijzer et al, 2010;Thompson, Thompson, & Reid, 2010) or reflected the outcomes of parent interviews (Jarusiewicz, 2002;Scolnick, 2005;Sichel, Fehmi, & Goldstein, 1995).…”

“…This protocol was developed after the finding that 85 to 90% of the individuals with ADHD have elevated theta power and reduced beta power over frontal and central, midline cortical regions of the brain (Monastra et al, 2005). Although the theta/beta protocol was originally applied to individuals with ADHD, this neurofeedback protocol has also been applied successfully to individuals with autism (Jarusiewicz, 2002;Kouijzer et al, 2009b;Scolnick, 2005;Sichel, Fehmi, & Goldstein, 1995;Thompson, Thompson, & Reid, 2010). After a treatment plan has been established, the actual neurofeedback treatment may commence.…”

“…(Scolnick, 2005;Sichel, Fehmi, & Goldstein, 1995;Thompson, Thompson, & Reid, 2010), whereas other studies compared a group of participants that had neurofeedback with a group of participants that had no neurofeedback or another treatment (Coben & Padolsky, 2007;Jarusiewicz, 2002;Kouijzer et al, 2009b;Kouijzer et al, 2010;Kouijzer et al, under review). Furthermore, in all studies to date, the participants were either children or adolescents.…”

“…In terms of the autistic spectrum, most studies included participants with a diagnosis autism, Asperger syndrome or PDD-NOS. One study focused on participants with PDD-NOS only (Kouijzer et al, 2009b), whereas two other studies mainly included individuals with Asperger syndrome (Scolnick, 2005;Thompson, Thompson, & Reid, 2010). This paragraph will provide a detailed description of the outcomes of studies investigating the effects of neurofeedback with a consecutive focus on (1) behavioral symptoms as reported by parents and teachers, (2) cognitive functions, and (3) the EEG.…”

“…In addition, improvement in selfesteem, empathy, and flexibility were seen, as well as reductions of anxiety, temper tantrums, and mood changes (Scolnick, 2005). These positive effects of neurofeedback were all reported by parents who filled out questionnaires inquiring about their children's behavior (Coben & Padolsky, 2007;Jarusiewicz, 2002;Kouijzer et al, 2009b;Kouijzer et al, 2010;Thompson, Thompson, & Reid, 2010) or reflected the outcomes of parent interviews (Jarusiewicz, 2002;Scolnick, 2005;Sichel, Fehmi, & Goldstein, 1995). In one study, neurofeedback did not result in a reduction of autistic symptoms (Kouijzer et al, under review).…”